Today’s project is just one example as to WHY I love this craft so much, and sharing what I love to do with the world! 

If this doesn’t get you excited for the holidays then I don’t know WHAT will. I am beyond excited to share this is a super fun project that is INEXPENSIVE, and you can even let the kids make their own!! (After you do the basic assembly of supplies!) THIS is a gift worth giving every family member at some point, and it doesn’t even have to be HOLIDAY themed!!

 Would you believe it if I told you that this was originally a Wire Folding Easel? <—- Seriously check it out

Family Tree

Would you believe me if I told you that I used it to designed my very own photo/card display for ONLY $2.29?

Well believe it.

I have longed to create a special photo/card holder to display during the holidays. One that I can easily switch out photos & cards for, year after year. The store bought ones aren’t generally festive, and can easily cost upwards of $20.  All you need is a little imagination and some Papertrey to get your own started!

I was in the plant supply section at JoAnn’s, buying some festive elements to use in my holiday gift packaging. This is definitely the time of year I make something for everyone!! While in the aisle, my 5 yo daughter Amber said “Mommy, is that like a Christmas tree?” and she pointed to the wire easel. IMMEDIATELY my mind began SPINNING!! I said “It’s not suppose to be a tree, but you have very good eyes Amber! We are going to take it home and make a special tree for our house!” I literally forgot about everything I was there to get and about 2 hours later this project was made! Now It took 2 hours because I had NO IDEA what or HOW I was going to execute the “tree” that was in my head.

So with a little cardstock, Scor-Tape, hot glue gun, ribbon, clips, my Cricut Expression, and of course some festive holiday stamps

(—> Click here to view all the images listed in  my post)……and our Family Tree was made!

Here is how: (and NO I didn’t get step by step photos, I needed my hands to keep up with my brain, and quite honestly I didn’t think this would actually work! LOL!)

I first wrapped my ribbon around the easel, being sure to secure it with glue as it wrapped around the wire frame. I laid the tree on the floor and used 2 pieces of spring moss cardstock to trace the tree. I then cut them. I  used my Scor-Tape to adhere the cardstock to the BACK of the open wire easel frame.

BE SURE TO KEEP EVERYTHING NEAT! You can see the back and sides on this project! NO messy stuff OK.

Added my metal clips to the ribbon that criss crosses in ripe avocado …….then just like after you apply your lights to the tree, you decorate it!

Tippity Top of the easel tree

There was a little hook at the top of the easel. I used it to insert my bird. There was a clip under the bird but I removed it. Squeezed in some hot glue, then stuck it onto the hook.  I got the bird at the craft store to use as my tree topper (and cover the hook!) I added some of the berries I purchased to the top as well. I used the gift from Holiday Button Bits. I also used an ornament from Vintage Ornaments.

I also used the 2009 Holiday tags, and Stocking Prints.  Then our family photo at the top!

I punched some snowflakes, and added a photo of myself, Jason, and Noah in the middle. I used the mitten image from Snowfall on either side. I thought they looked cute not fully inked.

Now under Noah’s face we have the gingerbread man from Holiday Button bits, as well as Santa next to Amber! For Alexa I used a little present from Sign Language. You can also see another Vintage ornament, and the snowman tag from 2009 Holiday Tags.

Added some more berries, and the poinsettia from Peaceful Poinsettia to the center. More tags from the 2009 Holiday Tag collection!

I had to design the bottom to spell out “Family” tree, then use the tree image from Merry & Bright at the end!

Now “Family” is spelled out using my Cricut Expression Story Book cartridge.

Last but not least, I added some white tinsel furry stuff (what is that called??) to look like a snowy bottom.

Once again here is the completed tree

Supplies:

Stamps: Merry & Bright, 2009 Holiday Tags, Snowfall, Holiday Button Bits, Vintage Ornaments, Sign Language, Stocking Prints

Cardstock: White, Spring Moss, Pure Poppy, Kraft

Ink: Black, Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, Copic Markers

Ribbon: Ripe Avocado grosgrain, Pure Poppy polka dot

Other: Easel, metal clips, Cricut Story Book, circle punch, snowflake punch, hot glue gun, Scor-Tape, bird, berries, fur, adheisve rhinestones

Now I bet you cannot wait to decorate your own!

Just pick a color scheme and get going.

Now this will be for our family photos, but you can certainly use to hold cards and other fun items too! Maybe even an ART tree for your child’s art work?! Endless possibilities!

Thank you ALL for stopping by!

I can’t tell you how fun this was. Kids have such a great eye for seeing something in other items! For example, just go cloud gazing and you will be shocked at the imagination of a child! I give my daughter Amber full credit for the idea behind this project! I never would have seen a “tree” in that isle. I would have totally overlooked that ugly easel!

Note to self: Take Amber with you on ALL trips to the craft store, from now on!

Per my usual I’m on the run, but I have some important things to share so I’m stopping by quickly.

No eye candy today.

Before you read today’s “news” you may want to just take a moment and hug your own children or loved ones. We should never forget how fragile and precious life is. Your entire life can change in an instant. Tomorrow is never a guarantee. That being said what I have to share breaks my heart. I feel for all those affected and know that their lives are forever changed, in just a second.

I work for Pink Cat Studio. One of our girls has suffered a severe loss. Something no mom should ever have to go though.

This is the info we are all using the spread the word:

This week has been a very sad one as DT member Sarah Anderson’s 3 year old son Henry passed away. Little Henry was unable to overcome a virus that made him ill last week.

 Lorie Ames has organized a way to donate for a memorial for Henry. Henry loved his local zoo and visited it almost every day in the summer. As a memorial, trees will be planted there in his honor. Melissa at Pink Cat Studio has created a digital stamp to help raise funds for a tree for Henry. All proceeds from the sale of the digi stamp, minus Paypal costs, will go towards the tree. If you would like to donate towards the tree, please visit this webpage to purchase the digi stamp: https://www.pinkcatstudio.com/Digital/DigiStamps/Animals/Zoo/GiraffeAndMonkey.htm

Another way to donate to the memorial is to print out this form and mail in your donation directly: https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Parks/PDF/MemorialTreePamphlet.pdf

Please write on the form that the donation is for Sarah Anderson’s son Henry. Once all of the money is collected, a tree and location will be selected. If you have questions about the form please contact Lorie Ames. Lorie will be in contact with Sarah along this memorial journey to ensure that her wishes are followed.

To contact Lorie, please visit her blog at https://www.live-love-laugh-create.blogspot.com/

If you don’t know Sarah and would like to learn more about her, please visit her blog: https://scrampinmama.blogspot.com/ Thank you for your help to raise money for a tree for Henry.